Current-motor.



PATENTED NOV. 21, 1905.

H. D. PENNY.

CURRENT MOTOR.

APPLICATION FILED 2.1, 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

314 ue/whn:

wwwmee No. 805,317. PATENTED NOV. 21, 1905.

H. D. PENNY.

CURRENT MOTOR.

APPLICATION FILED APRJ, 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

anuentoz UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CURRENT-MOTOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 21, 1905.

Application filed April 1, 1905. Serial No. 253,317.

To all whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HIRAM D. PENNY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Glenwood Springs, in the county of Garfield and State of Colorado, have invented new and useful ImprovementsinOurrent-Motors,of which the following is a specification.

This invention has relation to feathering water wheels or motors that are operated by the force of a current, and hence they are sometimes termed current-motors or current water-wheels.

It is the object of my invention to simplify ence marked thereon form a part of this specification and are to be so referred to, the

same letters designating the same parts or features, as the case may be, wherever they occur.

Of the said drawings, Figure l is a plan view, the upper cross bar or part of the framing being broken away in order to better show the mechanism beneath the same. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the invention. Fig. 3 is a side elevation looking at the device in the direction in which the water runs. Fig. at is a similar view looking at it from the opposite side.

A designates the frame, which may be of rectangular form, as shown, or any other that may be found suitable, it being desirable in all cases that the form of the frame shall present as little opposition to the current of the water as possible. In the present instance the frame is of rectangular form, as already indicated, and the surfaces that extend in the direction of the current are broad, while those at right angles thereto or opposing it are narrow.

Within the frame A'and supported by it are the lower disk or base B, the upper disk C, and the hub D.

E is the vertical shaft, which is stepped in the lower disk B and has hearings in the upper disk C, the hub D, and the upper cross-piece (a of the frame A. Between the upper and lower disks B C is a disk G, which is secured to the vertical operating-shaft E and has thejournals 5 of the blades or flights H supported therein. Between the inner end of each blade, flight, or

paddle and the periphery of the disk G is a turning-block 0, which in any suitable way is firmly secured to the shaft of the blade or flight. On the lower face of the rim or margin of the disk C there is a curved or cam strip (Z, conforming in its curvature to the periphery of the said disk and extending substantially half-way around the disk.

The construction and arrangement of the device are such that when it is placed in the water with the current running in the direction of the arrow 1 the blades or flights will be operated upon so as to have them run and the disk G to turn in the direction of the arrow 2. This beingthe case, the lower port-ion of the end of the cam-strip (Z, which will be approached and engaged by the blocks 0, will be inclined or beveled, as at 0, (see Fig. 3,)

so that the blocks 0 will be turned from a vertical to a horizontal position, turning the blades in the same way.

On the upper rim or margin of the lower disk B for a distance of nearly half-way therearound, below that portion substantially of the disk 0 that is not equipped with the camstrip (Z, is a cam-strip f somewhat like the strip d, which as the shaft and disk G'turn operate on the lower edges of the blades to turn them from a vertical to a horizontal or feathering position and allowing the blocks to be turned, as aforesaid, from a horizontal to a vertical position. The end of the stripf approached and first acted upon by the blades is inclined or cam-shaped, as shown at r, so as to effect the turning of the blade and its journal one-quarter way around, as before indicated. 4 p

The blades or flights H may be said to be in their operative position when turned so as to stand vertically and in their inoperative position when turned to extend horizontally, and the strips 62 an .7" may be termed cams, the former operating on the blocks 0 to ren der the blades operative and the latter acting on the blades themselves to render them inoperative. The carns (Z and f will be arranged substantially on the sides of the device, while the vertical shaft and central disk G will be arranged substantially midstream, and the changing or shifting of the blades or flights will take place substantially midstreamthat is, between the ends, as it were, of the cams df, Where the current has little operative force on the blades.

The hub D is made round in form, so as to minimize the force with which the current may act thereon, and it is made large or otherwise of such form with the disk C and some other associated parts of the apparatus as to prevent fioatage and debris from being caught, and thus clogging the device. One edge of 'the blades or buckets H is sharpened, so that When said edge is turned in the direction of the advancing current it Will offer as little resistance thereto as possible.

With this explanation of the construction and mode of operating a feathering \vater Wheel it Will be seen that the objects set out at the beginning of this specification are fully accomplished.

It is obvious that the motor can be made of any size desired and be used in a strong and swift current or in a small stream With light current.

It is furthermore evident that changes may be made in the form and arrangement of parts constituting my invention Without departing from the nature or spirit thereof.

What is claimed as the invention is- 1. In a feathering Water-Wheel of the character described, the combination, With the frame, of the large round hub and disk connected With the bottom; the stationary disk at the base; the shaft extended through the hub and stepped in the stationary disk; the rotary central disk, movable blades or buckets provided With journal-shafts set radially in the edge of the rotary disk; and cams on the disk of the hub and the stationary disk for acting on the flights or buckets to actuate them, as set forth.

2. In a feathering Water-Wheel of the character described, the combination, With the frame, of the large round hub and disk connected With the bottom; the stationary disk at the base; the shaft extended through the hub and stepped in the stationary disk; the rotary central disk, movable blades or buckets provided with journal-shafts set radially in the edge of the rotary disk; blocks on the journal-shafts and cams on the disk of the hub and the stationary disk for acting on the said blocks of the journal-shafts of the flights or buckets to actuate them, as set forth, one edge of the flights or buckets being sharpened.

1n testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of tWo subscribing Witnesses.

HIRAM D. PENNY.

WVitnesses:

0. WV. DARROW, W. H. JACK, Jr. 

